Cookies on the Arsenal WebsiteWe use cookies to improve your browsing experience and help us improve our websites. We and carefully selected third parties use cookies to show you more relevant ads online. For more information, please click here. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our use of such cookies.

The year 1964 was special in so many ways. The Beatles made their mark on the music industry. The Great Train Robbers were convicted and sentenced to 307 years in jail, and a young Irishman walked through the marble halls at Highbury seeking a trial, the first steps on what turned out to be a marvellous career. A momentous time indeed.

That man was Pat Rice. Born on St Patrick's Day, 1949 in Belfast, Pat moved with his family to London, attended school in the borough and earned pocket money by helping out in a greengrocer's shop in Gillespie Road, a mere stone's throw from the stadium.

He went on to become one of the legendary players who have represented Arsenal, winning a number of trophies on the way. He was a member of the 1970/71 league and FA Cup Double side, the first time in the Club's long history that this had been achieved.

But enough about his playing career. That is there for all to see. Behind those magnificent achievements is Pat Rice, the man. Humble, understated and never seeking the limelight, he is an example for us all to follow.

He has worked under many managers, all of whom have benefited from that experience, and his contribution cannot be over-estimated. He is loved by all of us who have had the privilege of working with him. Although I know that he will miss the day-to-day involvement, one thing that we can be certain of is that Pat's love of "his Club" will remain with him, and I am certain that the relationship that we have enjoyed for the last 48 years will continue for many years to come.

Pat, no-one has earned their retirement more than you and to your wife, Betty, your son, Stephen, and your daughter, Kelly, and the family, may I offer you, on behalf of us all, our sincere wishes and profound thanks for your immense service and contribution to what makes Arsenal great.Ken Friar

Pat, unfortunately you are going and we will not see each other anymore on a daily basis. It is very sad, but I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for having been a competent, loyal partner and a great fighter. We have done great things together, but I know that without you we would not have done them. Forever in my heart you will always be one of the great guys I have met in my life. Football allows that and hopefully you can come to Arsenal again and we will maybe share, not a great game, but a great glass of wine together. Have a good time.Arsène Wenger

Pat, I am sorry to hear you are leaving. I am really happy I met you at this Club, I learnt a lot from you, especially with you being a defender who played for Arsenal as well. I learnt a lot of defensive skills from you, and I know that was really important. I'm very happy you were here as the assistant manager, and I wish you well for the future.Thomas Vermaelen

There are certain people who embody the club so perfectly that it's impossible to know if the Club created them or if they created the Club. The moment I met him, I knew that Pat Rice was Arsenal and Arsenal was Pat Rice. In my mind, there is no higher compliment.Ivan Gazidis

Pat, I wish you all the very best and thank you for everything you have done for this amazing Club. I will take you right back to when I was an amateur school teacher and you were there as this not-too-clever full back. We used to train on a Thursday evening and Charlie George was there and I don't think you and I ever thought we would reach the heights we reached. We spent so much time on and off the field together, as well as with your lovely family. It has been a fantastic journey for you and for me and we all definitely owe it to Arsenal. I know you feel as much about this Club as I do. All the best to you and to Betty.Bob Wilson

Hi Pat, I am very sad to see you go. Every morning I will miss that 10 minutes before training starts when you come into the dressing room and shout at us! I enjoyed working with you for all the time I have been here and the whole team will miss you. Thank you, and all the best.Tomas Rosicky

Pat, it's been a long time since I was at the Club but when I was you were a youth-team coach but you have put in the miles, put in the hours and I wish you a very happy retirement. All the very best.Alan Smith

Pat, it only seems like yesterday when we had to search around the old Highbury at the end of a working day to make sure you weren't training, having sneaked in from down the road! From that day forth I could never get rid of you, because I had you in the Northern Ireland team and here at Arsenal as well. They were wonderful days and you are a magnificent servant to the Club and a true skipper in my time, for which I thank you for all of your efforts. Well done, Pat, enjoy.Terry Neill

Pat, I just want to thank you for what you have done in my career so far. I have had such a great time here working with you and I wish you all the best for the future. It will definitely be a bit quieter around the training ground without you, but once again thanks very much for all you have done. Remember, can't ask, can't play!Aaron Ramsey

Pat, I just think it is absolutely amazing the service you have given this fantastic Club. Well done, enjoy your retirement and I'm sure you and Betty will have a super time - enjoy the south of Spain! From an Arsenal man, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the service that you have given this Club. Well done, and God bless.Tony Adams

Pat, it is a real pity you are retiring because you mean a lot to the Club. You have been a fantastic player there, a fantastic coach and assistant. It was a pleasure to work with you. Sometimes I gave you a bad time, but I hope you were okay with that! I found it fantastic to work with you and I wish you well for the rest of your life. Good luck with everything you do, thanks again.Dennis Bergkamp

Copyright 2015 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source11 May 2012

Please ensure you enter the correct Date of Birth as it will be required if you need to reset your password

Please ensure that you enter your parents email address and click here to review our privacy policy for those who are under 13. Please note that an email address can only be used once to register as a Digital Member so you cannot register for both an adult and junior membership under the same email address.

Mobile Number

* Country

Language Preference

* Postcode

* Email Address

* Confirm Email Address

* Password

* Confirm Password

Get all the news from Arsenal.com

Weekly E-Newsletter (only in English)I would like to receive the weekly e-newsletter which includes match reviews and offers from The Arsenal Football Club plc and its commercial partners.

Club Information and Offers (only in English)I would like to receive information and offers relating to The Arsenal Football Club plc.

Offers and Information about Commercial Partners (only in English)I would like to receive information and offers relating to The Arsenal Football Club plc's commercial partners.For further details, see our Privacy Policy or write to us at Data Protection Officer, The Arsenal Football Club PLC, 75 Drayton Park, London N5 1BU